Shakespeare to Show in Valley Park

Hermosa Beach’s will be filled with King Lear’s echoing howls next week as Shakespeare-by-the-Sea’s summer theater series comes to town with a free production of The Tragedy of King Lear and Much Ado About Nothing.

Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs or picnic blankets as the outdoor performances commence. 

King Lear shows in Hermosa Beach on July 20 at 7 p.m. Much Ado About Nothing shows July 21 at 7 p.m.

The theater series runs until Aug. 13 in open-air venues around the Los Angeles area.

Los Angeles resident Matthew Ross, who brought his 8-year-old son David to see told Patch, “It was very professional and very beautiful.”

Directors Amy Louise Sebelius and Ovation Award-winning Stephanie A. Coltrin returned this year for the summer productions.

Valerie Wright-Blair served as costume designer and Aaron Jackson was scenic designer—both worked on .

Familiar names also were seen on stage in both productions. The Much Ado About Nothing cast includes alumnus Cylan Brown. Shakespeare-by-the-Sea development director Suzanne Dean plays Goneril in King Lear.

“We not only attract die-hard fans of The Bard, but all sorts of people—even some who are experiencing their very first play,” said Shakespeare-by-the-Sea founding member and Producing Artistic Director Lisa Coffi in a statement about the summer series.

Shakespeare-by-the-Sea is funded mainly through corporate grants, foundations and individual donations. Local sponsors include the Hermosa Beach , Women's Club and .